“OH MY GOD! Is he actually selling bubbles?? I have been searching for these for ages.” I squealed with childlike enthusiasm when I saw a vendor selling bubbles and balloons right outside my college. Few passersby gave me “the looks” wondering, if I had gone bananas!
Blowing bubbles and staring at them, floating magically in the air as they descend with a ‘pop’ on reaching the ground mesmerizes me. I spent an ample amount of my time that day, bubbling away in my room and reliving those precious childhood moments.
These little things like balloons, bubbles, board games and even thumb wrestling with friends, believe it or not, can actually make your day. It gives you a chance to be that child again, who got lost in the process of growing up to be that adult, who is too busy shouldering responsibilities and literally operating at a steady pace.
Then what exactly stops you from unleashing that little child in you? Society and “Log kya kahenge aur sochenge?” (What will people think) Do people’s opinions and thinking stop you from letting loose that inner genie in you, who is beseeching for freedom?
It’s important to know that we are gifted with one life and if we don’t live it to the fullest now, when else can we? It’s physically impossible to go back to those beautiful instances where we could live a carefree life of fun and frolic, away from the judgments and unsolicited opinions from the people. Well the judgments and unsolicited opinions still continue, but the only difference is, we now take them into accord and allow ourselves to be bothered by it. What other people think of you, is seriously none of your business. Your business is to lead a life which gives you peace of mind, immeasurable happiness and a zest for living each day the way you envision.
While researching for this article, I posed a question to few of my friends. ‘What are the childhood things you used to do and still shamelessly do, as it aids in reliving memories close to your heart?’
I got interesting responses like-
- Playing in swings and going to amusement parks
- Eating candies and lollipops along with licking chocolate off one’s fingers
- Bursting bubble wraps
- Jumping on trampolines
- Playing board games like- Monopoly, Scrabble, Jenga, Uno etc.
- Showcasing architecture skills, with Lego!
- Eating milk powder and even Cerelac
- Watching Anime and animated movies
- Playing with Bay Blade, remote control cars and even action figures
- Revisiting old places which one felt nostalgic about
- Running down inclined planes and feeling the wind against one’s face
- Unnecessary arguments with one’s siblings over petty issues
- Playing hop scotch, X & 0 and even skipping
- Sleeping on your mother’s lap (There is no age for that, is there?)
Some of these responses might seem utterly bizarre, but if it brings you the feeling of self-satisfaction and helps you to reminisce about the past, joyous moments of your bachpan (childhood) then WHY NOT?
I am reminded of a dialogue from the Bollywood movie Tamasha where Ranbir Kapoor said that he placed his foot over the child in him and stamped his childhood. In order to fit into the ‘society’ and image created by others for us, we often leave behind our crazy nuances and enter the race to advance into adulthood. Click the pause button in the remote control of your life, and start living each moment in slow motion. It’s completely okay to be childish sometimes and it’s okay to be enthusiastic, curious and adventurous when you feel like!!!
Your childhood makes you extraordinary, and helps you to carve a path of your own. Your child like activities or interests should be celebrated and not be ashamed off. Maturity is all about accepting and rejoicing your immaturity at the right periods of your life. As kids, we didn’t even realize we were making memories, all we knew was, we were having fun. This is not the end of fun, just because you are an adult. You can still unabashedly have fun IF YOU CHOOSE TO.
As Walt Disney said, “Adults are only kids, grown up anyway”
So how and when do you plan to unleash your inner child?